Have you wondered: what’s in heaven for me?
I’ve heard common dismissals of heaven like, “Why would I want to go and play a harp for eternity?” The first few times, I didn’t know what to say. The thought that someone wouldn’t want to go to heaven was not only foreign, but dismally depressing. Other common misconceptions about heaven are people turning into angels, sitting around doing nothing but singing hymns, and that it’ll be boring–all cotton candy and sweet.
First of all, angels are not humans and humans do not become angels. God created a variety of beings but we don’t turn into any other kind of being. Hebrews 1: 14 says, “Aren’t all the angels ministering spirits who are sent to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?” CEB Try doing a study on angels. Be prepared for some surprises like there are more than one species of angels. Do you know them? Do you know the created purposes for each specie of angel?
Jesus said, John 14:3 “When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too.” CEB What would Jesus have to prepare if playing a harp were all we did in heaven? He also says there are many mansions in heaven. He’s preparing one for you and for me. I’ll bet my mansion’s interior design looks a lot different than yours. I love colorful interior designs and I believe the place God has prepared for me will be full of color because God knows me so well.
His words are also very personal. Jesus is not only preparing a unique place for each of us, but he’s also saying we’ll be with him too. We’re family, co-inheritors. I know I want to constantly be around the people I love. Jesus is saying he wants to have us with him because he loves us.
Heaven boring? Look around you at this earth. How beautiful! How diverse! How interesting! Can you imagine the visual feast for the eyes heaven will be with streets made of gold so pure they are see-through? I think of the beauty God created on the earth and the destruction since the fall of man that makes this world follow a path of continual degrading. So beautiful and yet the earth disintegrates continually. Heaven will not constantly disintegrate. It will be full of gorgeous scenery I will not be able to soak it all in. Now add the billions of people. I can’t wait to talk to my historical heroes and heroines. I want to hear their stories in detail.
Talent and personality are crucial elements for heaven. I ask you this one question: For what reason are we perfecting our talents, abilities, and character if it goes nowhere when we die? The Lord has given us each very unique circumstances to mold very unique spirits. Don’t you think He might have a great use for our perfected talents in heaven?
People I know and love. I can’t wait to see my grandparents in heaven and ask them all the questions I didn’t realize I needed to ask before they passed.
Are animals in heaven? I can’t wait to see the pets I miss. I’m comforted by the fact God sent a chariot and horses for Elijah to bring him up to heaven. So if God has horses in heaven, why wouldn’t he have other animals? Is it in the Bible? Not that I can find except for references to the horses. But horses coming from heaven is a common occurrence according to 2 Kings 2:11, Zechariah 6, and Revelations. Having lost my horse a few years ago, I so hope the Lord sends her leading a chariot for me.
Well what is in heaven for me?
I believe that God knows what will truly delight me in heaven. I think he’s preparing a very colorful mansion full of the pets I’ve loved and cared for on earth. I believe I’ll sing, write, and speak. These are the talents God gave me specifically. But he also gave me a love of learning, a desire to know people and their stories, and a deep love for him. So I think heaven holds amazing opportunities to share my talents to please God and that in doing so, I’ll have an awesome sense of fulfillment. I think because he made me with an intense curiosity, I’ll get to talk to people to learn more about them throughout eternity. But also to write their stories.
Will there be an enormous library? I don’t know, but why not since God seems to like the written word too? I see the perfection of joyous activities like reading, dancing (remember David danced before the Lord), and even eating. We know angels eat because the manna sent from heaven is described as being the food of angels. I love to cook and bake. I wonder what a heavenly stove will be like?
I’ll walk on streets of gold, eat at banquets with God and angels, and be fascinated by the talents of others. I believe I’ll be so in awe, so overwhelmed by the beauty and variety that the only thing my heart will want to do is praise God all the time for the miracles I’ll see around me all the time. I think that’s where the constant praises will come from, a heart so swollen with astonishment that it can’t help but sing praises.
Have you ever stopped and stared at something that was so beautiful you just wanted to soak it all in for as long as you could? What is beautiful to you? A baby, a tropical beach, sunsets? Now multiply that times millions. Imagine soaking in beauty above anything you’ve ever seen on this earth and trying to process it.
God gave us incredible imaginations. I often wonder why we don’t think he has one especially since God is the creator of imagination and inspiration. I think he does. I think God’s imagination will captivate us and be continually changing beyond our capability of understanding it here on earth.
Another question for you: If God created us for his pleasure, what pleasure would he get out of bored souls?
I believe God wants us actively involved in loving eternal life and a deeply fulfilling experience in heaven.
Discussion Questions:
What’s in heaven for you?
What would your mansion look like?
What talents do you think God is perfecting on this earth that you might use them to please God in heaven?
